www.gupta-verlag.de/thermoplastic-elastomers

Lubrizol's recent acquisition of Vesta, a leading contract manufacturer for the global medical device industry, expands the company's life science manufacturing capabilities, applications and long term implantable material portfolio with access to silicone and a variety of other thermoplastics utilised in medical devices. "With our broad product portfolio we are firmly positioned as a strategic supplier to the healthcare industry in the Nordic region, said Timothy Madden, Lubrizol managing director for the Europe, Middle East and Asia (EMEA) region. "We have teamed with key partners like Bjorn Thorsen and we are committed to the development of innovative material solutions to help support and drive the medical device market. Madden added that Lubrizol LifeSciences is developing new and innovative medical-grade thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) solutions for medical device manufacturers that meet the stringent requirements of the healthcare industry and also deliver safe and effective patient care. The latest technologies from Lubrizol include breathable polymers for wound care, flame retardant TPUs for medical devices, soft polymers as an alternative for silicones and rubbers, and pharmaceutical-grade Pathway excipients. Among the featured products at Muovi Plastics were Tecothane TPUs, which are said to be the first medical-grade TPUs that also offer flame-retardant properties. According to Lubrizol, this innovation can be used in applications such as touchscreen monitors, pressure cuffs, EKG cables, sensor cables, and more. Flame-retardant technology is a critical feature in home care and medical applications where the growing use of electronics can mean an increased probability of equipment short-circuiting. It withstands repeated high heat and harsh chemical sterilisation cycles without breaking down. Flame retardant Tecothane TPU also delivers a variety of special-effect properties such as a matte finish, soft touch and low dust tackiness, says the manufacturer. Another new featured innovation is Pathway TPU excipients - a customisable, reliable choice for drug delivery. Pathway TPU excipients are manufactured in compliance with Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) for use in non-biodegradable drug implants such as vaginal rings and subcutaneous drug delivery systems. They are also used in devices where manufacturers have a desire for a higher quality standard due to the increasingly stringent regulatory environment. This new development for controlled release drug delivery is strengthened by Lubrizol's proven expertise in TPU formulation, GMP manufacturing and regulatory agility from decades of work in the pharmaceutical excipient market, says the company. Lubrizol recently launched new medical-grade aromatic TPU products that will serve to augment its Pellethane line of products. The new additions to the Pellethane line are a mix of polyester and polyether aromatic TPU products that offer a wide range of properties that make them ideal for use in the medical industry. The new products offer high moisture vapour transmission rate (MVTR) for advanced wound care applications; stiffness and non-kinking properties for multifunctional medical device applications such as tubing, backings, film or catheters; and other properties useful in applications such as medical garments and drapes. The product portfolio also includes an expanded line of Tecothane Soft polymers designed specifically for medical applications. These new soft polymers offer an alternative to materials such as rubbers and silicones, while providing the benefits of a thermoplastic polymer, says Lubrizol. Mechanical properties include strong tear resistance, excellent resilience and recoverability. Finally, they are suitable for a wide range of sterilisation methods commonly found in hospitals, including hydrogen peroxide.

www.gupta-verlag.de/thermoplastic-elastomers

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